CATHERINE'S SOAPBOXJust after the last newsletter went out, I wrote a blog post called 'The Trouble with Consent'. My blog is a funny thing. It is separate to bellabirth, because bellabirth is about you, about information and informed decisions. My blog is about me. My thoughts, my poems, a place to explore feminism and more broadly than pregnancy, birth and parenting. I am used to very little traffic. So I was flabbergasted to see over 2000 reads on this piece. It obviously hit a chord with many. For me it is the core of all I do. It all comes down to INFORMED DECISIONS.We need to rethink 'consent' and focus on 'decisions'. True autonomy lies with decisions

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On twitter this month, I felt the need to vent a bit. This Thread was me making a series of statements after I got agitated by a passing comment, which in a new or more vulnerable mother could have been quite damaging. These comments and scenarios are so common, they are normal...this has to change. Mothering is awesome. It is INVALUABLE. But society has devalued it. And many women do not experience it as awesome. Together we do Better.Poetry CornerOn my twitter I felt a little silly, so wrote a few limericks (mostly aimed at political shenanigans). This one, inspired by the #waitforwhite campaign, 'impressed' 686 twits (twits? tweeters? peeps?):

Did you know about #waitforwhiteYou can even say 'leave it all night'Or don't cut at allIt is your callBut clamping too soon is not right!

I also tweeted this one (but it wasn't as popular)

A birth plan is not about wishes or pleaseBut decisions to put you at easeRelaxed and supportedYou've got it all sortedAfterall, pregnancy's not a disease.

GETTING TOGETHER IN CANBERRA: March 23rd

This gathering will begin with an easy walk: The Black Mountain Forest Loop. (see this PDF for details)We will start the walk at 10:30 am (meet at the halfway Car park from 10). I will head anti-clockwise around the mountain. After the walk, estimated 11:30, we will have a picnic (BYO). After lunch, you may feel up to trying a different walk, or heading up to the tower. Perhaps the Botanic Gardens beckon you? We shall see where the wind blows us (well..I hope it is not a windy day). As usual, I will have all my squids in tow. This is an all ages gathering - from the 'carriable' to 'able-to-walkable' for the walking part, and the 'any one who enjoys a natter and a nice bush setting' for the picnic.

Heads up: on April 20th the gathering will be at the Eurobodalla Botanic Gardens: it is school hols, so bring your older kids!

NEW BLOG POSTS: The Trouble with Consent. This was the post that saw over 2000 readers within a few days of posting it! This is important!Polite Ticks I would love to hear your thoughts on this. This is a conversation stater, I am still exploring this topic. Sex, fear and profit This one is a poem. (I told you I was in a silly mood!)

FROM THE ARCHIVE: For #waitforwhite I want to highlight The Cord posts on the Bellablog. There are three. 1. Cord Blood Harvesting2. Delayed Cord Clamping3. 'What about the Cord?' (particularly relevant in the event of an unassisted birth)

I updated the FAQs on my website.You can click through, and read on one page, or you can click on a question to open it in a new page, which is easier to share....because I know you want to share!ARTICLES THAT HAVE CAUGHT MY EYE

Watch this trailer. Get goosebumps. Roar. and do what you can to make it happen. I made a crazy round trip to Sydney in late Feb to attend 'Feminism and Human Rights in Childbirth', a fundraising event for the documentary Birth Time.

This conversation article is based on the new research paper I added to the resources section and covers what to do if your baby is born before you get to the hospital (you know: The Fast Birth Pathway!)

This podcast covers a lot of ground. From forced adoption, stillbirth and empowered birth. Lessons learned, grief processed, and paths discovered. Vickie is very generous in sharing her life stories, so that we may benefit from her experiences.

Be a ContributorDo you run a podcast, write a blog or have you published research or a book?Do you want to share a resource or article that has informed or inspired you? Use this form to submit your offering. You can upload a file (pdf) or an image (including one of you to go with your bio), or put a link in the comments. I will include your contribution in the next newsletter.

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